Sleep Apnea and adjusting to a CPAP machine: Tips?

Yes that type. My jaw kept cracking. Sometimes my jaw does that from laying on one side too long too. I'm not willing to do jaw surgery. I know they had to break her jaw and she had her jaw wired shut and she had to eat through a straw for a long period.

@maureercria

That does sound very uncomfortable. Are there any other treatments for the jaw, other than surgery?

Teresa

not that I know of.

what is a c pap machine?

Hi @sanglpjm
I moved your message to the Sleep Health group to the discussion about Sleep Apnea and CPAP Machines. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification to read all the past messages of the discussion.

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a treatment option for sleep apnea. Here is more explanation and a video on how CPAP works: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/multimedia/cpap/vid-20084718

You had titled your post "pf". Do you have pulmonary fibrosis? Do you have apnea (breathing that stops and starts while sleeping)?

A doctor told me to try a dental device from a store to see if it helped at all and then to get one from a dentist if it did help me. I have a jaw that can slide and the dental device from a store made it worse and it kept sliding and cracking during the day. I have various bones that hurt from laying on my side all night on elevated pillows for sleep apnea and acid reflux. So Dental didn't work. I know a lady who had jaw surgery and she had to have her jaw wired shut and just drink through a straw. I think it was for 3 months.

Keep up w the CPAP. You risk damage to your heart due to the apnea periods. If your sleep apnea is severe it’s not likely that a dental device will work.
Did you have an ENT consult to evaluate your airway. There are some procedures available if appropriate.

Amen. Keep up with the cpap or get a prescription for a bi-pap, which seems to not make you fight the pressure when you exhale. I have used one for about 12 years, after having polyps removed from my nasal cavity due to a lifetime of chronic sinus infections. I sleep now, and use the bi-pap even for short naps. Sinus issues have been abated as well. Find a good ENT and a sleep specialist. The dental devices didn’t serve any good purpose for me.

Question? I have had two sleep tests(0n1 15+ yrs ago(moderate, so I tried (CPAP). Frustrated as I couldn't sleep with it. Next, 8 yrs ago and same outcome.
I have tried the dental piece, even a nasal piece from Mu:te by Rhinomed. Interesting but didn't seem to do the trick. My wife has always said that it is not really snoring, but very heaving breathing(very annoying). I don't seem to wake from it unless she nudges me. If you don't wake, and you have apnea,
I gather I don't get good sleep, even though you could go through the night with apnea, never wake up(that you remember) but not feel that refreshing
wake up even after 8 hours. I believe I have it right. Now I'm 70. In pretty good shape, check-ups 2x a yr....few pills I have to take but still bothering my wife
at times. So I actually saw this ad for a new full face mask(I believe by Resmid) where I can sleep on my stomach. Not sure my Medicare/United Health care
pays but waiting to get in for ANOTHER sleep test!! Determined it has much to do with how I feel during the day. Also, my wife could hear the machine
and is a light sleeper(yrs ago)..are they quiet now...Sorry for the diatribe!! Thx

Wgatap21. Over the course of 16 years, I've had 4 sleep studies and quit cpap use for four or so years earlier in the course. The machine sounds, sounds of leaking mask fit on my face, and uncomfortable masks.
Over the past 5-6 years, I was successful in finding the right mask, actually two masks, both nasal. Respiron Dreamwear and Resmed Nasal Pillow. Dreamwear has worked successfully and comfortably. I like it and I like the quiet Resmed Airsense 10. All paid by Medicare, but I would pay out of pocket, if I needed to.
In conclusion, I don't want to use a cpap but I want to enjoy the best quality of life and I believe that I am getting that. Got used to using cpap system because I wanted to succeed in using it. I have. I don't notice it when using it. The results are profound...alert and energetic at 76 y/o. Disciplining myself to endure using CPAP has paid off.
Wish you success .